The Neural Basis of Addiction
Research Group
Goal of our laboratory: is to provide a better understanding of the underlying neurobiology of substance use, with a special emphasis on nicotine and alcohol use. Our work is focused on the role of various brain neurotransmitter systems in driving substance use in clinical populations that are more susceptible to drug use. Work in our laboratory has found that during nicotine withdrawal, females display increased anxiety and a larger dysregulation of stress-associated genes as compared to male subjects. Thus, stress produced by withdrawal is believed to be an important factor that contributes to enhanced vulnerability to nicotine use in females. This finding coincides with human clinical reports indicating that females display higher smoking relapse rates due to intense anxiety produced by nicotine withdrawal. More recent studies have also shown that insulin resistance experienced during diabetic states enhances the rewarding effects of nicotine and intensifies withdrawal states during abstinence. These data suggest that greater rewarding effects of nicotine may contribute to greater susceptibility to nicotine use among patients with diabetes.
If you are interested in working in our laboratory, please contact Dr. O'Dell at [email protected] .
If you are interested in working in our laboratory, please contact Dr. O'Dell at [email protected] .